In Michigan it is even more bizarre. The State Senate has this 'procedural' process called "Third Reading." The law was to insure the legislators were reading the legislation, but, it has turned into a joke. A bill was entered on the Michigan Senate floor yesterday to stop union strikes, it was given 'two readings' within fifteen seconds, but, the Secretary was only required to read the title twice. Now, it is on its way to its Third Reading by first 'briefly visiting' "The Michigan Senate Reform, Restructuring and Reinvention Committee" (click here).
Scary.
The Third Read process in Michigan is broken. It is the most bizarre thing I have ever seen. A well intentioned law is being circumvented with every bill to expedite unwanted changes in the state before there are recall votes there as well. I doubt the circumvention of the law is constitutional, even at a state level. What a circus the Republicans are making of our democracy.
Teachers with no tenure by July 1 likely out of luck (click here)
Florida teachers who do not have tenure on July 1 will be out of luck, if Gov. Rick Scott signs a bill recently approved by state lawmakers.
The sweeping merit pay law that Scott signed in March ends tenure-like job protections for all newly hired teachers.
But some thought the new law allows teachers already "in the pipeline" to be eligible for "professional service contracts," commonly called tenure.
A separate bill finalized by lawmakers last week, however, would make it impossible for anyone who doesn't already have such a contract to get one after July 1. That means rookie and second-year teachers could not earn those contracts, which give them added job security.
Impasse in union contracts are buoyed by local school boards seeking to obstruct LAWFUL conduct by unions as mandated by the State. The unions need to take the local school boards to court to force contractual compliance with state regulations. This is not the unions fault, but, the local boards are playing politics to make it appear to be so and break down support by the Middle Class American for their teacher unions. The local school boards are breaking the law, probably as mentored by Tallahassee and the Republican Governor. Rick Scott is deliberating creating impasses to break union support.
Thursday, April 28th, 2011
Posted by Andrea FreygangFrom the Broward School Board
After six months of negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable agreement with the Broward Teachers Union (BTU), The School Board of Broward County, Florida, has declared impasse in negotiations for the 2010/11 school year.
On April 7, 2011, the Board presented a comprehensive proposal, which gave the teachers the step increase they were seeking. The step increase (1.86%) would be retroactive to January 2011 with a $250 bonus (FRS contribution) for teachers on step 22. The District can only accomplish the step increase by asking the BTU to work with us and consider cost saving measures in order to fund this proposal....
...Response from Pat Santeramo, Broward Teachers’ Union President
“The BTU finds unfortunate Superintendent Jim Notter’s decision to go to impasse in the ongoing contract negotiations for the 2010-2011 school year as this presents an unnecessary burden for the district’s new superintendent and all of the school system’s employees after Notter’s resignation takes effect in June.
“Sadly, Notter’s proposal that would provide teachers with a salary schedule step increase retroactive to January 2011 was largely contingent upon the union signing off on contract language that would give up the teachers, parents and other community members’ legal right to vote on their respective school’s schedule, which according to Florida statute the union is precluded from doing....
The sweeping merit pay law that Scott signed in March ends tenure-like job protections for all newly hired teachers.
But some thought the new law allows teachers already "in the pipeline" to be eligible for "professional service contracts," commonly called tenure.
A separate bill finalized by lawmakers last week, however, would make it impossible for anyone who doesn't already have such a contract to get one after July 1. That means rookie and second-year teachers could not earn those contracts, which give them added job security.
Impasse in union contracts are buoyed by local school boards seeking to obstruct LAWFUL conduct by unions as mandated by the State. The unions need to take the local school boards to court to force contractual compliance with state regulations. This is not the unions fault, but, the local boards are playing politics to make it appear to be so and break down support by the Middle Class American for their teacher unions. The local school boards are breaking the law, probably as mentored by Tallahassee and the Republican Governor. Rick Scott is deliberating creating impasses to break union support.
Broward declares impasse in contract negotiations with teachers (click title to entry - thank you)
Thursday, April 28th, 2011 Posted by Andrea FreygangFrom the Broward School Board
After six months of negotiations to reach a mutually acceptable agreement with the Broward Teachers Union (BTU), The School Board of Broward County, Florida, has declared impasse in negotiations for the 2010/11 school year.
On April 7, 2011, the Board presented a comprehensive proposal, which gave the teachers the step increase they were seeking. The step increase (1.86%) would be retroactive to January 2011 with a $250 bonus (FRS contribution) for teachers on step 22. The District can only accomplish the step increase by asking the BTU to work with us and consider cost saving measures in order to fund this proposal....
...Response from Pat Santeramo, Broward Teachers’ Union President
“The BTU finds unfortunate Superintendent Jim Notter’s decision to go to impasse in the ongoing contract negotiations for the 2010-2011 school year as this presents an unnecessary burden for the district’s new superintendent and all of the school system’s employees after Notter’s resignation takes effect in June.
“Sadly, Notter’s proposal that would provide teachers with a salary schedule step increase retroactive to January 2011 was largely contingent upon the union signing off on contract language that would give up the teachers, parents and other community members’ legal right to vote on their respective school’s schedule, which according to Florida statute the union is precluded from doing....
